Ask HN: Why aren't you coding? • Hacker News Board

Re: Ask HN: Why aren't you coding?

#41

Post by eb0la » Fri, Feb 12, 2021, 12:13 PM UTC

Writing a proposal for a customer in the millions range. Not coding; but figuring out if we undestand well the rewquiremente, figuring out what has to be done, when, how, and whay kind of problems might arise (imagination is important, and beigng pessimistic, too).

On monday, I will git pull the repo and add some test the team needed to write, but had no time to code.

Re: Ask HN: Why aren't you coding?

#42

Post by danieka » Fri, Feb 12, 2021, 12:13 PM UTC

Waiting for NPM to install packages

Waiting for units tests to run

Finding the perfect Giphy to slack my colleagues

Fetching coffe

Installing OSX updates

Re: Ask HN: Why aren't you coding?

#43

Post by EliRivers » Fri, Feb 12, 2021, 12:15 PM UTC

from developers who are being paid to write code

Who is paid to write code? I'm paid to ensure my team delivers quality software, on time and to spec. Typing out code is the least difficult part of that.

Re: Ask HN: Why aren't you coding?

#44

Post by paulpauper » Fri, Feb 12, 2021, 12:15 PM UTC

Too much time and work involved, but the problem with buying software is you get too much bloat and poorly coded stuff despite having more features. Even if you are an amateur, coding it yourself can produce better results than even off the shelf stuff.

Re: Ask HN: Why aren't you coding?

#45

Post by [deleted] » Fri, Feb 12, 2021, 12:16 PM UTC

[deleted]

Re: Ask HN: Why aren't you coding?

#46

Post by xena » Fri, Feb 12, 2021, 12:16 PM UTC

Because I have a life.

Re: Ask HN: Why aren't you coding?

#47

Post by monster_group » Fri, Feb 12, 2021, 12:17 PM UTC

timwaagh wrote: post #38

Java websphere stack is such a waiting game. Besides I don't love code.

If you're running Websphere locally, exclude WS folders from anti-virus scanning. It will considerably speed up WS start up.

Re: Ask HN: Why aren't you coding?

#48

Post by carlivar » Fri, Feb 12, 2021, 12:18 PM UTC

yetihehe wrote: post #22

I'm constantly bombarded with "quick" questions from coworkers about how some part of my code works (or more often why it doesn't). After several such interruptions it's harder and harder to even try to focus, maybe some kind of neurosis, fear of being interrupted once you are again in flow?

Try the Pomodoro Technique and make sure to close Slack and other distractions.

Re: Ask HN: Why aren't you coding?

#49

Post by jdmoreira » Fri, Feb 12, 2021, 12:18 PM UTC

I'm not coding because there are more important things to be done. For example: - I have to groom tasks and interfaces across team boundaries. - I have to review others code. - I have to help someone with their problem so they can proceed and deliver. - I have to onboard. - I have to make sure processes are working well. - I have to make sure the team works well. - and so on and on...

Some programmers are much more valuable to their employer than just for the code they write. You don’t become a 10x engineer (if such thing even exist) by writing 10x more code but you can enable others and make sure things work and easily deliver multiple times more value.

Good managers understand this very well.

Re: Ask HN: Why aren't you coding?

#50

Post by austincheney » Fri, Feb 12, 2021, 12:20 PM UTC

As a JavaScript developer I am paid to use enormous frameworks. Solving problems or returning value back to the business are often (not wanted) beside the point. Attempting to program real solutions in this line of work frequently results in hostility from your coworkers.